Preview of Tomorrow

Well, tonight was the trial run for Jack's debut as a ring bearer. He was a little tearful because he wanted his momma. I was the "cheese" in the pew waiting for my little mouse to find me. Hopefully, he'll be in a much better mood tomorrow.

Tomorrow, these love birds will be newlyweds!

A Letter to Aunt Jay

Dear Aunt Jay,

Thanks for sending me the watermelon seeds. My plant is growing big! Mom put the plant up on my wagon so animals wouldn't eat the baby watermelons. Maybe I will have one or two to share with you later this summer.

Love,

Jack

P.S. When do your basketball games start?

My Work

I only have a few more days left to finish my Forensic Evidence Team story. Today, I spent a couple of hours on the shooting range with officers from the Police Department's FET. They were studying the bullet holes left by different guns on paper, drywall and car doors. It was pretty interesting and hot. I felt cooked when it was time to go home.

Seriously?

As I walked to work this morning, I saw a homeade construction sign leaning on a building. It read, "Handy Cap parking."

My Boy

Mike and I sometimes talk with Jack about the possibility of being a big brother. He's already a big brother to his birthmother's son, Elijiah. But, one day, we hope that we will be able to adopt again and give Jack the beautiful gift of having a sibling, one to laugh with and share toys, a child who we can call our son or daughter. This morning, Jack and I were discussing this over breakfast. Some of the things we mentioned included riding Jack's motorcycle (his big wheel),  playing trains together...

"And share toast with," Jack added, as he munched on a piece of buttered toast.

My little man has a heart of gold. I know siblings don't get along 100 percent. (I had three brothers.) I know Jack and a future sibling will have their fair share of squabbles, but the joys in life that they share together will be precious. My big boy will be a wonderful big brother someday.

Amen!

Jack is getting much better at joining us in prayer before meals. After our traditional prayer, I always ask God to bless special people in our life. As I came to that part tonight, Jack put his hands to the side of his head and made snore noises. What a goober!

Seriously?

As seen in the city's newspaper. Demolition Derby dude.

Rosebo

Move over Rambo, Rosebo is here. My co-worker is promoting a Bow Hunting for Ladies program offered by Parks and Recreation. Knowing how much I just hate acting silly (yeah, right), he asked me to get serious with a bow and arrow. Check out the lipstick war paint under my eyes. Rubbed it in and had ruby cheeks all day.

After we finished scaring people who drove by the local park, we shot lab scene video at the police department. They send most of their stuff to the Highway Patrol, so we pretended to take prints off a seargent's gun and they performed chemical tests on marijuana and crack cocaine. Yep, they were real.

I spent the rest of the day with another co-worker assisting with interviews for his Adopt A Spot story. It was a busy, hot but fun day. I'm relieved that my farmer's tan isn't going anywhere fast. :)

Weekend in Review

Our weekend was pretty easy going. Yesterday we chilled and went to church. Today, we saw my parents and then traveled to Jack's birthmother's hometown. It was the day of their annual picnic. It's a nice family friendly event in a small town.  Jack actually went on the train by himself this year. I was very proud of my big boy. Do you think this look means he's tired of me taking his picture? Nah.

Jack tried his luck at the fish pond. His great grandma (behind the fish pond display) and Uncle Glenn always set him up with some good stuff including a fire fighter hat and flag.

The anticipation!

Coolness!

Then we played the "Roll the Dice" game. One of the reasons I love this picnic is because the workers pretty much let you win no matter how many times you roll the dice, well, at least they gave Jack more than a half dozen tries. My volunteer fire fighter wore the hat for good luck.

He played two times and won himself a stuffed duckie and one for his little brother Elijiah, his birthmother's son.

There's the cutie!

Jack braved the bounce house for a few seconds, got out, then decided to go back in. The second time he went in, he and another child collided which gave him a little bloody nose. My poor baby. Look at him jump!

Then it was time for some quick pictures with family including his birthmom. Unfortunately, he was kind of crabby here.

But cheered up a bit when he got hugs from his aunt Jay. That's a 2.5 year old for you, on and off with the moods.

We had a great time. We'll be back on Friday and Saturday for his birthmother's wedding. I'm praying for beautiful weather.

Family Photos

We are so grateful to our friend Erin and her daughter Reilly who braved the hot, hot weather last night (totally miserable) and took some family photos for our adoption profile. We have tons of photos of Jack, but Mike and me? They're a rarity.

You have to love the sweat under my chest. Just keepin' it real.

Here's my favorite photo. Hi-yah!

Actually, this one is my favorite.

And who can get enough of Jack? Not me. I think he's the only one who enjoyed the weather although his poor little face was beet red.

Fun with my boy

Bathroom breaks and even showers are not private around here. Last night, Jack popped his head in and said, "Mommy, you taking a shower?"

"Yes," I answered. He left to check on daddy, then returned. "You still taking a shower?"

"Yes, honey." This sequence repeated itself a couple of times. Finally, thinking the interrogation was Mike's idea, I told Jack, "Ask daddy if he's still picking his nose." "Okay," Jack answered.

That went on a couple of times before I finally put an end to it by stopping the shower. Mike told me he did not put Jack up to the line of questioning. Yeah, right.

Cooling Off and Hanging Out

Jack insisted that I go swimming with him tonight. We had a lot of fun jumping in his pool. As far as I know, I did not pop a hole in it. Just give me time. I'm pretty sure I exceed the weight limit. From the way the camera fogged up, you'd think we had a hot spring in our backyard.

Our little dare devil.

20XX Olympics

Is Jack performing a

• Salchow Jump (ice skating)
• Alley Oops (snow boarding maneuver)
• Body slam
• Twisting dive

The Olympic scouts are calling. As well as a house cleaning service. :)

Mr. Social

When it comes to our social calendar, when it rains, it pours. We had a busy, fun day today. First, Jack helped me with my communion ministry this morning. It's a good thing he's so cute because, despite his awnriness, my friends told me to bring him back soon.

Then we came home and got ready to party. We were excited to be invited to two birthday parties today. First, we went to Max and Audrey's party. Their mother and I went to the same university and even braved journalism school at the same time.

Jack loved the inflatable slide. He had a blast!

And for the first time, he actually enjoyed being in a bounce house. Maybe it was because most of the children were around his age and height. When we go to the bigger events, the ages of the children are so random and sometimes you end up with the bigger kids.

Jack even sat with the birthday boy. Max is in the orange shirt. That's my diet Coke. :)

Later, Max and Audrey's parents rigged up the pirate ship pinata. Totally cool. Jack took a couple of swings at it. I think we'll have to look into one for his birthday.

Then we watched as Max blew out the candles on his cool cake.

Audrey enjoyed her cake too. What a precious little girl!

Then we headed back home to our neighbors' party. Their little girl, Sophie was celebrating her birthday. Of course, Jack had to have a ball in the pool with him.

Check out that form!

Forget Fred Flinstone feet. Jack had it easy with daddy power.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

A cute shot of our neighbor and his son, Colton.

What a wonderful day! After Sophie opened her presents, we headed home and took naps. We were so bushed! Ironically, our calendars are totally open next weekend. That's the way it is around here. :) Feast or famine.

Saturday Fun

I took Jack to the tailor this morning so we could have the arms and legs on his suit adjusted. Look out GQ. I think I just found your next model.

Then we both had hair appointments. Jack didn't scream as much this time. The promise of a lollipop seemed to pacify him.

After a good nap, we visited my cousin and her family. Jack played with their 1.5 year-old grandson, Mike. He's pretty cute! They played piano together. I think Jack composed his first concerto. It was pretty dramatic. We clapped. Jack and I also showed the crowd our synchronized dancing. They were in awe.

Later, Jack helped me bake a cake for Mike's belated birthday yumminess.

The chocolate moustache grew handle bars!

Here Comes The Ring Bearer...in Two Weeks

Bright eyes Jack modeled his suit tonight, minus the vest and bow tie. We are taking the suit to a tailor tomorrow.

His birthmom's wedding is in two weeks. Do you think my boy's ready?